Multiple fulcrum valve operating lever

ABSTRACT

A pivotal control lever for a valve stem has two differently spaced fulcrum connections with a base, one through a pin and slot connection and the other through a floating abutment which is held in a normal position by opposite springs. Initial pivotal movement of the lever is about the abutment, but when the limit of movement of the pin-slot connection is reached the lever begins to pivot about that connection, overriding the springs. In one form, deadband reduction is achieved by having the abutment radially further from the connection between the lever and stem than the pin and slot. A second form has the abutment closer to enhance initial control. A modification of the second form has a lost motion connection between the lever and the abutment and a torsion spring between the lever and stem which provides, in effect, an infinite lever to reduce deadband. Another form simply uses the torsion spring with a lost motion connection to reduce deadband.

United States Patent Trick 51 Sept. 26, 1972 [541 MULTIPLE FULCRUM VALVEOPERATING LEVER [72] Inventor: Robert E. Trick, Racine, Wis.

[73] Assignee: Bucyrus-Erie Company, South Milwaukee, Wis.

22 Filed: Feb. 16, 1971 [21] Appl.No.: 115,511

[52] 11.8. CI. ..74/522, 74/491, 74/518, 251/233 [51] Int. Cl. ..G05g1/04 [58] Field of Search ..74/522, 523, 491, 516, 518, 74/105; 251/233Primary Examiner-Milton Kaufman Attorney-Allan W. Leiser, Arthur H.Seidel and John Adams Thierry [5 7] ABSTRACT A pivotal control lever fora valve stem has two differently spaced fulcrum connections with a base,one through a pin and slot connection and the other through a floatingabutment which is held in a normal position by opposite springs. lnitialpivotal movement of the lever is about the abutment, but when the limitof movement of the pin-slot connection is reached the lever begins topivot about that connection, overriding the springs. in one form,deadband reduction is achieved by having the abutment radially furtherfrom the connection between the lever and stem than the pin and slot. Asecond form has the abutment closer to enhance initial control. Amodification of the second form has a lost motion connection between thelever and the abutment and a torsion spring between the lever and stemwhich provides, in effect, an infinite lever to reduce deadband. Anotherform simply uses the torsion spring with a lost motion connection toreduce deadband.

6 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures PATENTEDSEPZBIHIZ 3593.474

sum 1 BF 4 /Z INVENTOR I ROBERT E.TRICK m W/m ATTORNEY PATENTEDSEP26|9123693' 474 sum u [1F 4 ATTORNEY MULTIPLE FULCRUM VALVE OPERATING LEVERBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to shifting fulcrumcontrol lever arrangements for axially movable valve stems or the like.The preferred embodiments are particularly effective for directionalcontrol valves of large excavating machines, but the invention is notlimited to this apl plication and may be useful wherever it is desiredto actuate an axially movable member by means of a pivotal lever.

Directional control valves are usually actuated by means of pivotalcontrol levers which connect to a stem extending from the valve spooland which pivot about a fulcrum point defined by a connection betweenthe lever and a base. The fulcrum is generally fixed, so that movementof the valve stem is at all times directly proportional to levermovement in a fixed ratio dependent upon the length of the lever armbetween the fulcrum and the point where the lever is connected to thestern. This fixed ratio presents two problems. First, any valve has adeadband resulting from the initial movement required before actualoperation; and if the control lever must move the same proportionaldistance to cross the deadband as it must move to cross an equal part ofthe remaining range of movement, there is a significant waste of controllever travel and the range of movement left for control purposes isreduced. Second, there is inherently a significantly greater rate offlow increase immediately after opening a valve than there is as thevalve nears a full open position; and, therefore, it is highly desirableto be able to use a greater proportion of the allowable control levertravel during the initial opening phase to provide enhanced control.These two problems can be extremely serious in large excavating or otherequipment using heavy elements which move considerable distances andwhere very high flow rates are necessary.

The foregoing problems can be solved by providing a shifting fulcrumarrangement in which one fulcrum is used during one phase of the levermovement and a differently spaced fulcrum is used for the remainder. Forsuch a shifting fulcrum arrangement to be fully satisfactory, however,it must meet several requirements: it should operate when the controllever is moved in either direction; it should allow the operator to feelthe fulcrum shift; and in at least some cases it should pro vide forboth deadband reduction and improved initial control which are to someextent inconsistent. While shifting fulcrum arrangements have been knownfor some time, see for example US. Pat. No. 555,738, they have notsatisfactorily met all of these requirements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is the object of this invention to provide ashifting fulcrum control lever arrangement which provides for deadbandreduction and/or enhanced initial control, which operates as the controllever is moved in either direction, and which allows an operator todistinctly feel a fulcrum shift. The embodiments shown are highlyeffective and durable, and are readily adaptable to very largeequipment. Nevertheless, they are still relatively simple andinexpensive to manufacture, assemble,

maintain and use. Other objects and advantages will appear from thedescription to follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic representation,with parts shown broken away and in cross section, of a first embodimentof the invention which provides for deadband reduction,

FIGS. la and 1b are similar to FIG. 1, but show successive positions ofthe embodiment of FIG. 1 during operation,

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation similar to FIG. 1 but showing asecond embodiment of the invention which provides improved initialcontrol,

FIG. 2a is similar to FIG. 2, but shows an intermediate position assumedby the embodiment of FIG. 2 during operation,

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation similar to FIG. 1 but showing athird embodiment which is a modification of the embodiment shown in FIG.2 and which provides both deadband reduction and improved initialcontrol,

FIGS. 3a, 3b and 3c are similar to FIG. 3, but show successive positionsof this embodiment during operation,

FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of a fourth embodiment whichprovides for deadband reduction, and

FIGS. 4a and 4b are similar to FIG. 4, but show successive positions ofthe embodiment therein.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the embodiment shown inFIGS. l-lb, the reference numeral 1 designates the stem of a directionalcontrol valve spool (not shown), which is fitted with a suitableextension 2. As previously indicated, the invention herein isparticularly suited for controlling large directional control valves,but it is also suited for any other application where it is desired tomove an axially movable member by means of a pivotal lever. For thisreason, and since the construction and operation of directional controlvalves is well known to those skilled in the art, the valve spool andbody are not shown. It is sufficient to note that the stem 1 is axiallymovable in either direction to cause corresponding operation of thevalve spool or other element to which it is attached.

The numeral 3 designates a base which is formed as a component of thevalve body or any other support. The base 3 may be of any configuration,and serves only as a fixed support for the several elements to bedescribed.

A control lever 4 is fulcrumed on the base 3 as will be described andhas an operating handle 5 at its outer end. The lever 4 is connected tothe valve stem extension 2 through a rigid link 6 which has one endpivotally connected to the outer end of the extension 2 by a pin 7. Theouter end of the link 6 is in turn pivotally connected to the lever 4 bya pin 8. The pivotal mounting of the link 6 allows it to compensate forthedifference between the pivotal movement of the lever 4 and the axialmovement of the stem 1, and the pin 8 defines one end of the lever armwhich determines the ratio of movement of the stem 1 in response tomovement of the lever 4.

The lever 4 is provided with a transverse slot 9 which receives a pin 10that is fixed to and projects from the base 3. The slot 9 and pin 10together define one fulcrum for the lever 9, the fulcrum beingrelatively radially close to the pin 8 to produce a relatively shortlever arm.

The lower end of the lever 4 is pivotally connected to a floatingabutment member 11 by means of a pin 12. The pin 12 defines a secondfulcrum for the lever 4 which is radially further from the pin 8 thanthe first fulcrum to define a relatively long lever arm. A rod 13 isfixed to and extends from the abutment 11 to be slidably received in asubstantially closed, cylindrical spring housing 14 which is pivotallymounted on the base 3 by means of a pin 15. The pivotal movement allowedby the pins l and 12 compensates for the difference between the pivotalmotion of the lever 4 and the axial movement of the rod 13.

The far end of the rod 13 is within the housing 14 and is provided withan enlargement 13 which is movable through opposite stops 16 defined byaxially spaced snap rings fitted into grooves near the center of thehousing 14. Opposite compression springs 17 are disposed within thehousing 14 between respective closed ends and stops 16. A free washer 17is disposed around the rod 13 between the inner end of the right handspring 17 and the right stop 16 as seen in FIG. 1; and is engageablewith the stop to limit spring extension and is engageable by the annularshoulder of the enlargement 13' to cause compression. A free disc 17" isdisposed between the inner end of the left spring 17 and left stop 16;and is engageable with the stop to limit spring extenison and by the endof the enlargement 13' to cause compression. This arrangement provides aspring centering action wherein the rod 13 can move axially in eitherdirection against a respective spring 17 and is automatically returnedto an exact centered position, but while a particular construction isshown to accomplish this it will be obvious that other centeringarrangements could be used. The sizing of the several parts will dependon the particular application, but the springs 17 must be strong enoughto overcome the force of any centering springs (not shown) or otherforces tending to retard axial movement of the stem 1.

As seen in FIG. 1, the valve stem 1, control lever 4, and abutment 11are all in neutral or centered posi tions, and each is capable of beingmoved in either direction. The slot 9 allows limited relative movementof the lever 4 with respect to the base 3 in either direction. If it isdesired to move the valve stem 1 to the right as seen in the drawings,the lever 4 is pivoted in a clockwise direction. During the first phaseof this movement, the lever 4 will pivot about the second fulcrumdefined by the pin 12, this fulcrum being relatively fixed because thesprings 17 are strong enough to overcome any force that retards movementof the stem 1. During this phase of movement, the relatively long leverarm defined by the greater distance between the pins 8 and 12 isoperative, resulting in a relatively great movement of the stem 1 pergiven movement of the lever 4. As previously indicated, this embodimentis intended to provide for deadband reduction, and the long lever arminsures that the deadband of the valve will be transversed quickly withthe use of a minimum percentage of the allowable travel of the lever 3.

Pivotal movement about the pin 12 will continue until the elements reachthe position shown in FIG. 1a, wherein the pin has, in effect, moved tothe left hand end of the slot 9. At this point, the pin 10 serves as arigid fulcrum, and further clockwise pivoting of the lever 4 will causeit to pivot about the pin 10 until the elements reach the position ofFIG. lb. During the course of this additional pivotal movement, the lefthand spring 17 is simply compressed and overridden, the additional forcerequired on the part of the operator to compress the spring 17 enablingthe operator to feel distinctly the shift in operation.

During pivotal movement from the position of FIG. la to the position ofFIG. lb, the short lever arm defined by the distance between the pins 8and 10 will be operative, and thus there will be correspondingly lessmovement of the stem 1 per increment of pivotal movement of the lever 4.As a result, a greater percentage of allowable lever travel is used foractually controlling operation of the valve. Thus, the embodiment ofFIGS. 1-1b serves to reduce deadband by providing for fast travel acrossthe deadband and then shifts to provide slower travel during the actualcontrol period. In one actual installation similar to FIG. I, forexample, as the elements move from the position of FIG. 1 to theposition of FIG. 1a, the first 36 percent of the valve stem movementrequires only 19 percent of the lever stroke, leaving 81 percent of thelever travel for the remaining 64 percent of stem movement. The sizesand locations of the several elements will of course depend to someextent on the deadband characteristics of the particular valve to becontrolled, but these are readily determinable. It will be apparent thatthe arrangement will function in the same way when it is desired to movethe valve stem 1 to the left by pivoting the lever 4 in acounterclockwise direction, except that in such case the pin 10 willmove to the right hand end of the slot 9 and the right hand spring 17will be compressed after the fulcrum shift.

The embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 2a is substantially the same as theembodiment of FIGS. l-lb, except for a reversal of certain elements.There is a stem 18, provided with an extension 19, and a base 20. Alever 21, with a handle 22, connected to the extension 19 through a link23 and inner and outer pivot pins 24 and 25. The lever 21 is providedwith a transverse slot 26 which receives a pin 27 on the base 20. Thereis a floating abutment 28 which is connected to the lever 21 by a pivotpin 29. A rod 30 leads from the abutment 28 into a spring housing 31pivotally amounted on the base 20 by a pin 32. A centering arrangementincludes an enlargement 30' at the end of the rod 30, snap ring stops33, opposite compression springs 34, a washer 34 and a disc 34". Theelements 18 through 34" correspond to the elements 1 through 17 of theembodiment of FIG. 1, the only significant difference being that theabutment pin 29 is closer to the pin 25 than is the pin 27, as theresult of which operation is reversed.

When it is desired to move the stem 18 to the right, the lever 21 ispivoted in a clockwise direction. In the first phase of this movementthe elements move to the position of FIG. 2a, which corresponds to FIG.1a. Initial pivotal movement will again be around the fulcrum defined bythe pin 29. However, because of the reversal of elements a relativelyshort lever arm defined by the distance between the pins 29 and 25 willbe operative during this phase, so that there will be relatively lessmovement of the stem 18 per given increment of the lever 21. When theparts reach the position of FIG. 2a,

the pin 27 is at the right hand end of the slot 26. Further pivotalmovement will be about the pin 27, thus causing a longer lever arm tobecome operative, resulting in greater movement of the stem 18 for agiven increment of movement of the lever 21. The right hand spring 34will be compressed and overriden as the lever 21 pivots further from theposition of FIG. 2a.

The embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 2a is intended for use in situations wheredeadband is not a particular problem but where it is desired to providefor enhanced initial control. As previously indicated, it is acharacteristic of most valvesthat the rate of flow increase is greaterimmediately after the valve opens than it is as the valve spool nearsthe end of its travel. Accordingly, during this period it is desirableto be able to use a greater proportion of the allowable control levertravel per given increment of stem travel. This objective isaccomplished by providing an initially short lever arm. Again, therequirement for compressing one of the springs 34 provides the operatorwith a distinct indication that there has been a fulcrum shift.Operation of this embodiment will, of course, be the same if the controllever 21 is pivoted in either direction. Again, the size and location ofthe parts will depend upon the relatively easily determinablecharacteristics of the particular valve being controlled.

The embodiment of FIGS. 3-3c is functionally similar to the embodimentof FIGS. 2 and 2a, but provides for deadband reduction in addition toenhanced initial control. It includes a valve stem 35, a base 36, and acontrol lever 37 with a handle 38, all substantially the same as thecorresponding elements of the preceding embodiments. The lever 37 is,however, pivotally connected to the stem 35 by means including a torsionspring 39. The spring 39 has a closed loop end 40 seated on a pin 41 onthe stem 35 and opposite legs 42 which are disposed on either side of apin 43 which pivotally connects the stem 35 to the lever 37 and alaterally spaced pin 43' on the lever 37. This configuration allows thelever 37 to pivot with respect to the stem 35 only when there is enoughpivotal force on the lever 37 to cause the pins 43 and 43' to spread thelegs 42, all for a purpose to be described. The pin 43 defines one endof the lever arm which determines the ratio of movement of the lever 37to stem 35. Although the particular form of torsion spring 39 shownherein is preferred, it will be obvious that any other torsion springarrangement which suitably retards pivotal movement between the lever 37and stem 35 could be substituted. As will become obvious, the spring 39must be strong enough to effectively overcome any centering spring orother force tending to limit axial movement of the stem 35.

A rigid arm 44 is fixed to the base 36 and extends across the lower endof the lever 37, where it is provided with a rectangular cut out 45. Apin 46 fixed to the lower end of the lever 37 extends into the cut out45. The pin 46 and cut out 45 together serve, in effect, as a pin andslot connection or fulcrum which allows limited relative movements ofthe lever 37 with respect to the base 36. The cut out 45 is providedwith relatively high sidewalls, and as a result it is not necessary topivotally mount the arm 44 to compensate for the pivotal movement of thelever 37 since during such relative movement the pin 46 can simply rideup the sidewalls of the sidewalls of the cut out 45.

Disposed on lever 37 is another pin 47 which is received in arectangular cut out 48 of a floating abutment member 49. The abutment 49is provided with a rod 50 which is slidably received in a spring housing51 fixed to the base 36. A centering arrangement includes an enlargement50' at the end of the rod 50, snap ring stops 52, opposite compressionsprings 53, a washer 53' and a disc 53", all corresponding to theelements in the previous embodiments, the abutment 49 normally beingheld in the centered position shown in FIG. 3. The pin 47 and cut out 48together define a lost motion connection between the lever 37 andabutment 49, which connection afiords the lever 37 limited relativemovement in either direction, but the movement thus allowed is less thanthat allowed by the pin and slot connection defined by the pin 46 andcut out 45. Again, the relatively high sidewalls of the cut out 48 makeit unnecessary to pivotally mount the spring housing 51 since the pin 47can ride up the sidewalls to compensate for the pivotal movement of thelever 37.

As seen in FIG. 3, all of the movable elements are in centered orneutral positions, and are capable of being moved in either direction.When it is desired to move the stem 35 to the right the lever 37 ismoved to the right, and the elements accordingly move to the positionshown in FIG. 3a. During the first phase of operation, however, there isno pivotal movement of the lever 37, this being prevented by the torsionspring 39. Therefore, both the lever 37 and stem 35 move in a straightline to the right to cross the deadband of the valve with the shortestpossible movement of the lever 37. In effect, it can be said that thetorsion spring 39 develops an infinite lever arm so that movement of thestem 35 actually equals movement of the lever 37.

The linear movement of lever 37 and stem 35 continues until the pin 47traverses to the right hand side of the cut out 48 as seen in FIG. 3a.Further movement of the lever 37 to the right will then cause the lever37 to pivot about the pin 47 until the elements move to the positionshown. in a FIG 3 b. During this pivotal movement there is, of course, arelatively short lever arm defined by the distance between the pin 47and pin 43, so that given movement of the lever 37 will producerelatively little movement of the stem 35, resulting in enhanced initialcontrol as in the embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 2a.

When the elements reach the positions shown in FIG. 3b, the pin 46 isagainst the left side of the cut out 45, and further pivotal movementwill be about the fulcrum defined by the pin 46, as the result of whichthe parts will move to the position shown in FIG. 3c. During thisfurther movement, the right hand spring 53 will be compressed oroverriden. In addition, a relatively long lever arm defined by thegreater distance between the pin 46 and torsion spring 39 will producefor a given movement of the lever 37 a correspondingly greater movementof the stem 35 The embodiment of FIGS. 3-3c provides, in effect, threedifferent lever arms-an infinite lever arm which allows the deadband tobe quickly traversed, a relatively short lever arm which provides forenhanced initial control, and a relatively long lever arm which allowsmovement of the stem 35 to be completed quickly once the initial phasehas been passed. The operator is able to distinctly feel the shifts inoperation, first as the result of the additional force required toovercome the torsion spring 39, and then as the result of the additionalforce required to overcome the springs 53. Operation will, of course, bethe same in either direction. Again, the sizing and location of theparts will depend on the characteristics of the particular valve to becontrolled. Obviously, pin and slot connections and pivotal mountingssuch as those shown in the embodiments of FIGS. 1-24: could besubstituted for a cut out-pin arrangement shown in the embodiment ofFIGS. 3-30, or vice versa.

The embodiment of FIGS. 4-4b simply uses a torsion spring to providedeadband reduction. It includes a valve stem 54, a base 55, and a lever56 with a handle 57, all corresponding to the elements of the previousembodiments. The lever 56 is pivotally connected to the stem 54 by meansof a pin 58, but pivotal movement is restricted by a torsion spring 59which is generally similar to the spring 39. However, the spring 59 hasits closed loop end seated around the pin 58 and its legs on either sideof a pin 60 on the lever 56 and another pin 61 on the stem 54.

A rigid arm 62 is fixed to the base 55 and extends across the lower endof the lever 56 where it is provided with a rectangular cut out 63. Apin 64 fixed to the lever 56 is received in the cut out 63. The pin 64and cut out 63 together provide a lost motion connection which allowslimited relative movement of the lever 56 with respect to the base 55.

As seen in FIG. 4, the movable elements are all centered. When it isdesired to move the stem 54 to the right the lever 56 is moved to theright whereupon the elements move to the positions shown in FIG. 4a. Asin the embodiment of FIGS. 3-30, there is no pivotal movement of the 56with respect to the stem 54 during this phase. Such movement isprevented by the spring 59 which is strong enough to overcome anyretarding force on stem 54. In the position of FIG. 4a, the pin 64 hastraversed to the right hand sidewall of the cut out 63. Further movementof the lever 56 will cause the lever 56 to pivot about the pin 64, thelever arm being constant in this embodiment throughout the entire rangeof further movement of the lever 56. Thus, this embodiment provides fordeadband reduction through the use of a torsion spring which, in effect,defines an infinite lever arm during the initial phase of the movement.

Although four preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed herein, it will be apparent that other embodiments andmodifications might readily be conceived or developed without departurefrom the spirit of the invention. The invention is not, therefore,intended to be limited by the showing herein, or in any other manner,except insofar as may specifically be required by the following claims.

I claim:

I. In a control lever arrangement for a directional .control valve orthe like having an axially movable stem operatively connected to acontrol lever fulcrumed on a fixed base, which lever is pivotallymovable between a normal position and at least one actuated position tocause corresponding axial movement of the stem,

the improvement wherein:

there are two fulcrum connections between the lever and the base whichare differently spaced with respect to the point of connection betweenthe lever and the stem; one of said fulcrum connections comprises a pinand slot connection which allows the lever limited movement with respectto the base as the lever begins to move toward actuated position; andthe other of said connections comprises an abutment operativelyconnected to the base and pivotally connected to the lever to define afulcrum, there being bias means operatively interposed between theabutment member and the base which holds the abutment member in a normalposition with respect to the base, but which can be overriden as thelever completes its movement toward actuated position, initial movementof the lever toward actuated position causing the lever to pivot aboutthe fulcrum defined by the abutment member until the limit of movementafforded by the pin and slot connection has been reached, furthermovement of the lever then causing the lever to pivot about the pin andslot connection and override the bias means.

2. The arrangement of claim 1 wherein, the lever is pivotally movable totwo actuated positions on opposite sides of its normal position; the pinand slot connection allows limited movement of the lever relative to thebase as it begins to move toward either actuated position; and there aretwo bias means of the abutment which together hold the abutment in itsnormal position, the bias means being adapted to be respectivelyoverridden as the lever completes its movement toward either actuatedposition.

3. The arrangement of claim 2 wherein, the abutment comprises anelongated member pivotally connected at one end to the lever and has aradially extending spring seat near its opposite end; there is a closed,generally cylindrical housing pivotally connected to the base whichaxially slidably receives the opposite end of the elongated member; andthe bias means comprises two compression springs seated between thespring seat and respective ends of the housing.

4. The arrangement of claim 2 wherein, there is an operative pivotalconnection between the lever and stem; the fulcrum defined by theabutment is closer to the pivotal connection than the fulcrum defined bythe pin and slot connection; there is a lost motion connection betweenthe lever and the abutment which allows limited movement of the leverrelative to the base as the lever begins its move toward either actuatedposition, the extent of such movement being less than that allowed bythe pin and slot connection; and there is a torsion spring interposedbetween the lever and stem which resists pivotal movement of the leverin either direction relative to the stem.

5. In a control lever arrangement for a directional control valve or thelike having an axially movable stem operatively pivotally connected to acontrol lever fulcrumed on a fixed base, which lever is pivotallymovable between a normal and at least one actuated position to causecorresponding movement of the stem,

the improvement wherein:

the fulcrum comprises a lost motion connection which allows the leverlimited movement with respect to the base as the lever begins to movetoward actuated position; and there is a torsion spring interposedbetween the lever and the pivotally movable to two actuated positions onopposite sides of its normal position, the lost motion connection allowslimited movement of the lever relative to the base as it begins to movetoward either actuated position; and the torsion spring resists pivotalmovement of the lever in either direction relative to the stem.

P0405) UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTEON Patent3,693,474 Dated September 26, 1972 fi Robert E. Trick 4 It is certifiedthat error appears in the above-identified patent and that said LettersPatent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 4, line 48, "amounted" should read mounted Column 5, last line,"of the sidewalls" should be deleted Column 6, line 41, "a" appearingbefore "Fig. 3b" should be deleted Column 7, line 36, lever should beinserted before "56" Column 8, line 28, "of the abutment" should bedeleted Column 9, line 5, "lose" should read lost Signed and sealed this17th day of September 1974.

( SEAL) attest:

MCCOY M.- GIBSON JRa C. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer Commissioner ofPatents

1. In a control lever arrangement for a directional control valve or thelike having an axially movable stem operatively connected to a controllever fulcrumed on a fixed base, which lever is pivotally movablebetween a normal position and at least one actuated position to causecorresponding axial movement of the stem, the improvement wherein: thereare two fulcrum connections between the lever and the base which aredifferently spaced with respect to the point of connection between thelever and the stem; one of said fulcrum connections comprises a pin andslot connection which allows the lever limited movement with respect tothe base as the lever begins to move toward actuated position; and theother of said connections comprises an abutment operatively connected tothe base and pivotally connected to the lever to define a fulcrum, therebeing bias means operatively interposed between the abutment member andthe base which holds the abutment member in a normal position withrespect to the base, but which can be overriden as the lever completesits movement toward actuated position, initial movement of the levertoward actuated position causing the lever to pivot about the fulcrumdefined by the abutment member until the limit of movement afforded bythe pin and slot connection has been reached, further movement of thelever then causing the lever to pivot about the pin and slot connectionand override the bias means.
 2. The arrangement of claim 1 wherein, thelever is pivotally movable to two actuated positions on opposite sidesof its normal position; the pin and slot connection allows limitedmovement of the lever relative to the base as it begins to move towardeither actuated position; and there are two bias means of the abutmentwhich together hold the abutment in its normal position, the bias meansbeing adapted to be respectively overridden as the lever completes itsmovement toward either actuated position.
 3. The arrangement of claim 2wherein, the abutment comprises an elongated member pivotally connectedat one end to the lever and has a radially extending spring seat nearits opposite end; there is a closed, generally cylindrical housingpivotally connected to the base which axially slidably receives theopposite end of the elongated member; and the bias means comprises twocompression springs seated between the spring seat and respective endsof the housing.
 4. The arrangement of claim 2 wherein, there is anoperative pivotal connection between the lever and stem; the fulcrumdefined by the abutment is closer to the pivotal connection than thefulcrum defined by the pin and slot connection; there is a lost motionconnection between the lever and the abutment which allows limitedmovement of the lever relative to the base as the lever begins its movetoward either actuated position, the extent of such movement being lessthan that allowed by the pin and slot connection; and there is a torsionspring interposed between the lever and stem which resists pivotalmovement of the lever In either direction relative to the stem.
 5. In acontrol lever arrangement for a directional control valve or the likehaving an axially movable stem operatively pivotally connected to acontrol lever fulcrumed on a fixed base, which lever is pivotallymovable between a normal and at least one actuated position to causecorresponding movement of the stem, the improvement wherein: the fulcrumcomprises a lost motion connection which allows the lever limitedmovement with respect to the base as the lever begins to move towardactuated position; and there is a torsion spring interposed between thelever and the stem which resists pivotal movement of the lever relativeto the stem so that initial movement of the lever from a normal positionis linear, such linear movement continuing until the limit of movementafforded by the lose motion connection has been reached, furthermovement then causing the lever to pivot about the lost motionconnection overriding the torsion spring.
 6. The arrangement of claim 5wherein, the lever is pivotally movable to two actuated positions onopposite sides of its normal position, the lost motion connection allowslimited movement of the lever relative to the base as it begins to movetoward either actuated position; and the torsion spring resists pivotalmovement of the lever in either direction relative to the stem.